IS THE SABBATH BINDING TODAY? #2

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In our last study, we examined the arguments made by those who
      teach that the Sabbath is binding today.
   B. In this lesson we want to examine the New Testament to see
      what it teaches regarding the proper day of worship for
      Christians.
   C. John the apostle said that he was in the spirit "on the Lord's
      day." Rev. 1:10
      1. What day is "the Lord's day" in the New Testament? Is it
         the Sabbath or is it the first day of the week?
      2. Definitely, the first day of the week is the Lord's day and 
         is the day of worship for Christians.

I. THERE WERE MANY EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE    
   WEEK.
   A. As we know, Christ arose on the first day.
      1. Notice how carefully the Holy Spirit shows us exactly which
         day on which the Lord arose. Matt. 28:1,6; Luke 23:56-24:1
   B. Christ appeared to the Disciples on that first day when He     
      arose, and on the following first day.
      1. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9
      2. On "that same day" He appeared to the two on the way to
         Emmaus. Luke 24:13-15
      3. He appeared to the eleven on that same day; and then, one
         week later, He appeared to the twelve with Thomas present.
         John 20:26
      4. Thus, these first two appearances to His disciples were on
         the first day. We do not know which day the third
         appearance by the Sea of Galilee was on. John 21:14
   C. Pentecost came on the first day of the week. Lev. 23:15-16
      1. Therefore, all the events that took place on that day were  
         on the first day of the week.
         a. The Holy Spirit came in fulfillment of prophecy.
         b. The New Testament Law went into effect.
         c. The gospel, in its entirety, began to be preached.
         d. The church or kingdom had it beginning.

II. THE SCRIPTURES PLAINLY SHOW WHEN THE DISCIPLES MET TO PARTAKE OF 
   THE LORD'S SUPPER. Acts 20:7
   A. This verse show us that the common practice of the early
      disciples was to meet on the first day of the week to partake  
      of the Lord's Supper.
      1. Even though Paul was "hurrying" on his journey (Acts
         20:16), they stayed seven days (Acts 20:6-7) so that they
         could worship with the saints who met on the first day of   
         the week.
         a. This week would have included a Sabbath, but there
            was no mention of it as a day of worship.
   B. The term "breaking of bread" can refer to both a common meal
      and to the Lord's Supper. The context determines which one is
      under consideration.
      1. Here in Acts 20:7, we see that it is a worship service of   
         the disciples of Christ. Thus, "breaking of bread" here     
         refers to the Lord's Supper.
         a. See also 1 Cor. 10:16-17 where breaking of bread refers
            to the Lord's Supper.
            (1) It is also called "the Lord's table." 1 Cor. 10:21
      2. Later in this same context of Acts 20:7, it mentions where
         only Paul (notice the "he") broke bread for the ordinary
         eating of food.
         a. Acts 2 also mentions, regarding "breaking of bread."
            both the Lord's supper and ordinary eating. Acts
            2:42,46
   C. As we know, Jesus commanded His disciples to eat the supper
      which He instituted. Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke
      22:15-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
      1. Consider 1 Cor. 11:20. Paul states the negative, but the
         positive was what they should have been doing as he goes
         on to show.
         a. Though 1 Cor. 11:20-34 does not mention the day, it
            shows they were partaking of the Lord's Supper on a
            regular basis.
   D. Some modern-speech translations use "Saturday night" in Acts
      20:7
      1. They are giving their own opinion as to what time they think
         it was, rather than what the Holy Spirit said.
         a. It is the duty of translators to give exactly what is    
            said, and not a commentary on what they think it means.
         b. These people insist that Luke was using Jewish time
            (from sundown to sundown) and it could have been
            Saturday night here.
            (1) They are admitting that even in Jewish time, it
                could have been the next day; that is, the next day
                when the night was over.
            (2) However, their translation does not allow for this.
      2. Luke, a Gentile, was writing to Theophilus, a Gentile, and
         speaks regarding a church in a Gentile city.
         a. He would have no reason to be using Jewish time here.
            He would simply use the Roman time they were under
            which was from midnight to midnight, the same as
            ours.
            (1) Luke did not say, "Now on the early part of the
                Sabbath, when the disciples came together to break
                bread..."

III. GIVING WAS TO BE DONE ON THE FIRST DAY. 1 Cor. 16:2
   A. This, again, shows that in that early age the Christians       
      worshiped on the first day.
   B. Again, Paul did not say, "On the Sabbath, let each one of you  
      lay by him in store."

Concl.
   A. The New Testament reveals that the first day of the week is the
      Lord's day, the day of worship for Christians.